Health Library

Health Library

Age-Appropriate Speech and Hearing Milestones

Hearing develops early in fetal development and is fully functioning at birth. While children respond differently at different stages of growth and development, hearing problems may be suspected in children who are not responding to sounds or who are not developing their language skills appropriately. The following are some age-related guidelines that may help to decide if your child is experiencing hearing problems.

It is important to remember that not every child is the same, and children reach milestones at different ages. Consult your child's health care provider if you are suspicious that your child is not hearing appropriately. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and other experts list the following age-appropriate hearing milestones for babies and toddlers.

Milestones related to speech and hearing

Birth to 3 months

Reacts to loud sounds with startle reflex

Is soothed and quieted by soft sounds

Turns head to you when you speak

Is awakened by loud voices and sounds

Smiles in response to voices when spoken to

Seems to know your voice and quiets down if crying

4 to 6 months

Looks or turns toward a new sound

Responds to "no" and changes in tone of voice

Imitates his or her own voice

Enjoys rattles and other toys that make sounds

Begins to repeat sounds (such as, "ooh," "aah," and "ba-ba")

Becomes scared by a loud voice or noise

7 to 12 months

Responds to his or her own name, telephone ringing, or someone's voice, even when not loud

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